Employee trust share purchase

Northumbrian Water Group PLC
16 December 2004


                          Northumbrian Water Group plc

                                (the "Company")

The Company has today been advised of the purchase of a total of 215,000
Ordinary 10p shares, at a price of 169p, by the Northumbrian Water Share Scheme
Trustes Limited on 16 December 2004.

Following this purchase, the Trust has a holding of 655,000 Ordinary 10p shares,
representing 0.126% of the Company's issued share capital.

The Directors of the Company are potential beneficiaries of these shares.


Name of contact and telephone number for queries

Martin Parker, Company Secretary
Tel: [phone]


                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange